Brock council told to close an arena

(BROCK TWP.) It's the multi-million dollar question -- faced with a declining population, what should Brock Township do with its three arenas?
After years of discussion and debate, members of council formally got an answer on Monday (Sept. 10) with the unveiling of the first draft of the Recreation Master Plan.
That answer didn't come as a surprise to any in the room -- one of the arenas should be closed and/or repurposed. But which one?
"The Cannington arena is the least utilized and is the most expensive to operate," said Anand Desai of Monteith Brown Planning Consultants, the firm hired to complete the Recreation Master Plan.
"Decommission the ice plant and look for alternative uses for that facility."
The Master Plan states that the Cannington arena required the 'greatest operating subsidy' of the three arenas at $167,200 in 2011, followed by Beaverton at $153,800 and Sunderland at $106,400.
But Ward 3 councillor Walter Schummer -- who happens to be an accountant by trade -- correctly pointed out that the Cannington figure includes the Township's final debenture payment for the facility, which is more than $58,000.
"We should be comparing apples to apples," he said.
"Removing the debenture payment would bring the Cannington figures more in line with Sunderland's."
He's asked that the figures be revised before the Master Plan is finalized.
"This is going to affect everyone in Brock and will for decades to come," Coun. Schummer said.
While many of his colleagues nodded in agreement, none spoke on the potential closure of the facility.
Instead, they focused on breathing new life into the facility if the Master Plan's recommendation is followed through.
"There's no shortage of potential uses," said Mayor Terry Clayton, suggesting a facility that could feature a walking track and space for other sports such as lacrosse, ball hockey and indoor soccer.
'This is something that's been talked about for years," added regional councillor Debbie Bath.
According to Mr. Desai, an alternative approach would be to close all three arenas and build a new multi-use facility with twin ice pads.
"The challenge there is the cost involved," he said, noting that construction could run as high as $15 million.
Not surprisingly, that option drew next to no interest from members of council.
The Recreation Master Plan defines the Township's mandate in relation to the parks and recreation system and provides a strategy to guide decisions for the next decade. It sets a framework to address needs and priorities for recreational facilities and services, as well as parks and open spaces.
"Parks and recreation facilities enhance the quality of life in any community," Mr. Desai said.
"The Master Plan is a roadmap that will allow the Township to make informed decisions until 2022."
A major factor in the recommendation to close or repurpose one of the arenas stems from a pair of trends in the local population.
Census data states that the number of residents calling Brock home dropped by nearly 10 per cent over a decade, from 12,110 in 2001 to 11,341 in 2011.
And not only is Brock's population dropping, it's also aging.
The median age in the township is 45, significantly higher than that in Durham, 39, and Ontario, 40.
Those trends have taken a toll on local sporting groups, many of which have seen a drop in registration in recent years.
"According to data collected from user groups (Brock Minor Hockey, the three local skating clubs, Sunderland Ringette) and Cannington Broomball), the major arena users have seen a collective decline in their memberships from 693 registrants in 2009 to 632 in 2011," the Master Plan reads.
With a 465 people estimated to take part in "private leagues" -- such as mens' hockey -- there are less than 1,100 regular users for the three arenas.
"There's a high level of service when it comes to arenas," Mr. Desai said with a chuckle.
"Brock has a one ice pad for every 367 participants. Most similar communities have one arena for every 600 to 700."
Based on that standard, two arenas would meet the needs of local residents now and well into the future.
The excess capacity is underscored by the amount of "prime time" ice available in the three arenas.
Prime time hours in Brock run from 5 to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday, 7 a.m. to midnight on Saturday and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday.
That tallies up to 64 hours per week of prime time in each arena and 192 hours collectively.
According to the Recreation Master Plan, 73 prime time hours go unrented each week.
"It's the equivalent of one arena sitting empty during prime time each week," Mr. Desai said.
Comparing the three, 79 per cent of the prime time hours are rented out in Sunderland -- substantially higher than Beaverton at 54 and Cannington at 52.
Overall rentals have also been in sharp decline, with 3,275 hours in 2008 and only 3,041 last year.
"The Sunderland arena was booked most often over the course of the past four seasons; this arena booked 25 per cent more ice hours than Beaverton and 37 per cent more than Cannington in the past year," the Master Plan reads.
From a cost standpoint, the shortfall has increased by 14 per cent -- from $374,000 in 2008 to $427,500 in 2011.
In that same time period, revenue decreased from $441,000 in 2008 to $400,000 in 2011.
"Reducing the supply by one ice pad would most likely result in the other two arenas being booked more effectively," the Master Plan reads.
In addition to the strain the downward population presents, the local employment scene also poses a challenge for the Township when it comes to recreation.
While the median household income here in Brock isn't too far off the provincial mark -- $59,600 to $60,455 -- more than two-thirds of employed local residents travel outside of the township for work.
"There's a high commuter rate here which does impact the amount of time people have for physical activity and recreation," Mr. Desai said.
"It's also a societal issue -- people are pressed for time more than they were in the past."
The development of the Master Plan included community consultation in the form of a survey of local sports clubs and community organizations as well as 'Community Search Conference' in May that drew 15 representatives from such groups.
"More than 100 invitations were sent out," Mr. Desai said.
"We would have liked a little better turnout."
A survey of local residents by the Brock Physical Activity Network -- which was mailed out to every home in the township but drew only 164 responses -- was also included.
Before the Master Plan is finalized, residents will have a chance to provide their comments at four meetings early next month.
Open houses have been tentatively booked for the Beaverton-Thorah Community Centre from 2 to 4 p..m on Oct. 2, as well the following day at the Cannington Community Centre from 2 to 4 p.m. and the Sunderland Memorial Arena from 6 to 8 p.m.
A formal public meeting will also be held at the Brock Township municipal office in Cannington from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 2.

Scott Howard is editor of the Brock Citizen. He can be reached via email at showard@mykawartha.com